If this is the first engine built for the FDNY, the city of New York, can make changes before the next 89 pumpers to be built by KME. This unit maybe a " DEMO " for the city to test!

All units as this one will be built as specified. There are no provisions within their specs or the manufacturer's bid proposal for changes mid-stream. This unit will be assigned to the CTS (Chauffer Training School.) 56 is a disbanded company (Upper Manhattan) however I understand it to be Honorary Asst Chief Jack Lerch's badge number and this was done out of honor and respect to him- which makes sense as he has a huge part in keeping FDNY's official apparatus history data.

All engines carry at least one 10' section of hard suction. It is used only for drafting.
They also carry a 10' section of soft suction (looks the same as hard but slightly smaller) for connecting to hydrants.

I think all of the new engines for the last few years have been 2,000 gpm, even the high pressure units. The only exception being the squad company units, they're still 1,000 gpm to keep the pump house shorter so the whole rig is more compact with the rescue pumper body.

Surely someone in the know is aware if the KME pumpers are 2,000 gpm. I know the last of the Seagrave units were, at least according to their website.

Speaking of connections, it looks like this truck does not have the multiple rear discharges that FDNY has had on their engines for many years.

Would be curious why the change.

Good question, it appears from the above post that they now have a single 4.5" discharge (750 gpm seems low?). Maybe this is reduced to 2.5" or 1.5" for the common stretches? From what I've read and understand, FDNY tends to stretch from difference engines rather than employ multiple lines from the same pump (for obvious reasons).

Do you think that KME Fire Apparatus can make any kind of profit on these pumpers, selling them to the City of New York, at a cost of $550,000 each. When the Seagrave bid was $750,000 each and Ferrara, came in at $650,000 and with a 5 year warranty ?